Walk-Off By Anthony Caronia Gives #2 Spartans Ninth Inning Win

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 2 University of Tampa (3-0) baseball team finished out an opening series sweep of visiting Bentley University (0-3) with a 2-1 victory on Sunday at the UT Baseball Field.

Shortstop Anthony Caronia broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth, scoring teammate Connor Obrochta. The game-winning run was made possible by Obrochta, who led off the frame with a single and advanced to scoring position with a stolen base.

Pitcher Ben O'Shea made his highly anticipated Spartan debut, with the 6-foot-6 lefty hurling four innings. The 2011 10th-round selection by the Chicago White Sox finished with four strikeouts while allowing no earned runs.

Bentley took an early 1-0 lead as its lone run in the fourth inning when Mark Lane struck out and reached base on a passed ball. Lane would advance to second on another passed ball, and would later score Kevin Korwek single.

The Spartans would trail until the eighth inning, when Raiko Alfonso led off the UT half with a walk. After stealing second base, Alfonso would score on an Andrew Jones single.

Eric Luksis and Preston Packrall would relieve O'Shea, with both turning in scoreless effors. Luksis threw 2.1 innings, allowing just two hits while Packrall (1-0) earned the victory after going the final 2.2 innings. Packrall allowed just one hit while fanning two.

The Spartans are back in action as it travels to Milledgeville, Ga., for a three-game weekend series with annual opponent Georgia College. The first game is slated for Friday with a 2 p.m., doubleheader. The trip will conclude with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest.

Live stats will be available through TampaSpartans.com.

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